Notable Quote

Sometimes I come across something that perfectly sums up everything I wish I could put into words. The following is what I try to communicate to my students . . . and to myself.

"There is a vitality, a life-force, an energy, a quickening that is translated through you into action and because there is only one of you in all time, this expression is unique. And if you block it, it will never exist through any other medium and be lost. The world will not have it. It is not your business to determine how good it is nor how valuable nor how it compares with other expressions. It is your business to keep it yours clearly and directly, to keep the channel open. You have to keep open and aware directly to the urges that motivate you. Keep the channel open."
- Martha Graham to colleague Agnes DeMille

Lanie Grace, the Youngest Stained Glass Student

Lanie Grace has been attending Stained Glass Classes with her mother for a little over nine months now . . .












Nowadays, she comes to class sometimes, just to hang out . . . and have a little chat with the instructor . . .






If I'm lucky, I get to give her a bottle and burp her while the class works!! She is a wonderful little girl, and we love having her come by for a visit. Gotta start 'em out young!!

Turner Door

My neighbor (and fellow artist), Bill Turner, asked me to create a door panel for his new home, which was being built back in the woods behind our house. He sketched out a design representing the rock formation, apparently man-made, they found when grading the site for the new construction.

The rock formation is pretty narrow. It looks like it could be about the size of a grave. It is situated along one side of a knoll, and some springs emerge from the other side. Who knows what this formation signifies. It is really interesting, though.

Bill thought it would be cool to incorporate this design into the house, thus honoring the folks who came before us to this land.

Here is a shot of the door panel from the outside.




















This is from the inside.




















Check out Bill's work at http://www.billturner.net/

Sookie's BIG JOB

Here is another belated update . . . I have been boring you all to tears for the past year with the story of the "BIG GRANT PARK JOB". Well, it is finished!! The client was happy and all is right with the world!!

Here are a few (well, OK, a lot of) photos from the installation:

Sookie is hard at work!

This shot shows some of the contrasting textures of the clear glass we used to accent the bevels and bevel clusters.

Another good texture shot.

Happy campers!!

Who could ask for a more satisfying career? To be the instrument that delivers these projects from a simple concept to a solid panel of lead and glass, and then to have them installed and beautiful and to daily enhance someone else's life . . . wow. I am a lucky Glass Gal indeed.

Who is Sookie?

My Father,
a life-long perfectionist and stained glass hobbyist for 30 years, introduced me to stained glass in 1999. With that introduction, I was instilled with the passion, the drive & the determination to become a proficient glass artist.


With the initial introduction by my father, I abandoned the sterile, analytical world arising from a degree in chemistry, and fell seamlessly into the passionate landscape of artistic expression. I never looked back. My continuing growth has ultimately resulted in my evolution into a highly skilled glass artisan.


Since my father has always lovingly referred to me as “Sookie,” it is in his honor that my business is named Sookie’s Glass Art Studio.

Welcome

Blogging is a new thing for me. I know just enough about computers and the internet to be completely dangerous! I thought this seemed like a fun thing to do . . . so here goes!!

I have intended to do a newsletter at least four times per year. That worked in 2006, but this year has been so crazy, I STILL haven't managed to get out a single newsletter. Maybe this will be a format that I can manage to update frequently, and will hopefully, be somewhat interesting . . .

I plan to update my students and customers on the latest happenings around my studio, including my glass work, watercolor pieces, dogs and family events. As always, comments and suggestions are welcome.

That's all for now!
Kay